Man wanted in Brunswick football player’s murder arrested on domestic battery warrant

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man wanted in the shooting death of a Brunswick High School football player in 2023, was arrested Thursday on a domestic battery warrant in Jacksonville, according to the Brunswick Police Department.

Breon Hartley, 22, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

On June 13, 2023, 16-year-old My’Kal Ellis was walking home from a friend’s house when he was shot and killed in front of his home on Johnston Street, according to Brunswick police.

Police do not believe Ellis was the target of the shooting.

“I just want justice, and turn yourself in. This pain that I feel has broken my whole family. The whole community and children are hurting over this,” Kimberly Ellis, My’Kal’s mother, told News4JAX last year.

A day after Ellis’ death, police obtained warrants for murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for Hartley. That same day, detectives also asked for help from the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Task Force to search for Hartley who was believed to have fled the area.

Days after Ellis was killed, Diandra Hightower was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence and making false statements to police in connection to Ellis’s death. She was also accused of aiding the alleged shooter.

Following his arrest Thursday, Hartley appeared before a judge in Duval County Friday morning. He is currently being held at the Duval County jail as he awaits extradition back to Glynn County.

“As a city and as a commission we want to thank the detectives, our police department, our chief, assistant chief for their consistent and focused work on this case,” said Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with additional information to contact Detective Anthony Trollinger at 912-279-2640 or provide tips anonymously through Silent Witness at 912-267-5516.